Ok, yeah, I expect this in that last month or so, but, 13 weeks?

I'm not *gasping* for breath, but, feel winded. My heart beats fast/hard and I just feel I can't get enough air.
I will work to slow it down..deep, slow breaths, calming thoughts, that kind of thing. That can often bring it under control.

But why did it happen in the first place?

Sometimes I'm not even *doing* anything. This can happen if I'm just lying in bed, resting! Or if I walk across the house for a cup of water. Or standing at the counter fixing breakfast.

I get that way when I've been cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming, but that's at least somewhat understandable. I mean, I know I've not been going much in the way of exercise lately, feeling so nasty and all. So I can understand such chores as that getting me 'winded'. But..to walk across the house? To lie in bed resting?

Is my body just *that* out of shape/practice from these weeks of nausea and immobility?

I found this:


I sometimes feel short of breath now that I'm pregnant. Is this common?
Yes, many women experience this sensation as their pregnancy advances. You may even notice it early in pregnancy, although at that stage it's more often sensed as a heightened awareness of the need to breathe.

You need more oxygen during pregnancy, and your body adapts to meet this need in several ways. An increase in hormones, particularly progesterone, directly affects your lungs and stimulates the respiratory center in your brain. And while the number of breaths you take per minute actually changes very little during pregnancy, the amount of air you take in with each breath increases significantly.

Later in pregnancy, as your growing uterus puts pressure on your diaphragm, your breathing might feel more labored — especially if you're carrying your baby high or carrying multiples.

You may get some relief a few weeks before you're due, especially if it's your first pregnancy. This is when some women experience lightening (the baby dropping into the pelvis). Is there anything I can do about feeling short of breath?
This feeling is usually harmless and normal. But it's a good idea to take things a little bit more slowly and remember not to push yourself too hard when being active.

Sit up straight and keep your shoulders back, especially when sitting, to give your lungs as much room to expand as possible. Propping yourself in bed a bit with a few extra pillows might give you some relief at night.

Once you give birth, your breathing will soon go back to feeling like it did before you were pregnant. Could shortness of breath ever indicate a serious problem?
Yes. For example, if you have a respiratory illness such as asthma or pneumonia, it can be more serious when you're pregnant.

Also, because of changes in blood clotting during pregnancy, you're more at risk for a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that goes to your lungs). This is a rare but very serious occurrence.

If shortness of breath comes on suddenly or becomes severe, it could be a sign of a serious medical problem. Seek medical help immediately.

You should also get help right away if shortness of breath is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
• Worsening asthma

• Rapid breathing

• A rapid pulse, heart palpitations, or faintness

• Chest pain or pain when you breathe

• A blue tinge around your lips, fingers, or toes, or if you look pale

• A sense of apprehension that you're not getting enough oxygen

• A persistent cough, a cough along with fever or chills, or coughing blood

Thanks Esther, very helpful. You rock! ;)

So, sounds like I'm ok, so long as nothing worsens/changes. Sit as upright as I can to help alleviate and continue to take it easy.

Geesh! Will I *ever* be able to function again?

"I'm sick" "I feel winded" "I'm fatigued" blah blah blah

I feel worse/more out of shape at this point in this pregnancy than I did with the others...and I started out more IN shape with this one than with the others. Go figure!

Hmmph!

It doesn't exactly make me see the GOOD of exercise!

LOL (j/k of course, I know exercise/fitness is a good thing)

I'm just so ready to get onto the next phase of this pregnancy. To feel somewhat normal again. Human. Functioning. Nice!! Oy.
Ok, I'm done griping now ;)

I always felt "breathless" in both the end of the first and most of the third trimester with mine. I never felt well enough to excercise either. Hoping that you're feeling better soon!
Beth

have you ever read "The girlfriends guid to pregnancy"? It is not Christian, but hilarious and informative.
You're real close to the second tri, so maybe things will get better for you. Then again, if you can handle a home birth, you can handle the pregnancy (big cheesy smile)

High levels of progesterone can makee you feel short of breath. I had it through my entire third pregnancy. My docs told me it was high levels of progesterone when I was like 13 weeks like you are. Then later when I was term I had it again.. I think then it was because he was a 10 pound baby and my lungs ran out of room. I remember it beng anoying! I hope it gets better for you!

I was like that immediatly with both boys....my doc said due to my being short waisted/torso, that it was more pronounced and it just got worse as time went on....he said it was normal though due to everything shifting and extra heart work pumping the extra blood! Good luck!

Esther, no, I've not read that book. When it comes to anything baby related, I have my couple of books here and that's it hehe

Leslie..um, yeah, 10# at the end would certainly do it LOL I'd say the former could apply to me now though.

Bree, hub and I thought that too...even though the babe isn't big yet, things are still moving and shifting and making way and just overall, my body is working hard right now.

Beth...you were also breathless at this time in your pregnancies? I just don't remember it with my others, I could have been LOL

Once again, comforting to know I'm not alone :)

Yeah, experiencing this myself... we went to the zoo today four mile round trip and whew... this was very challenging compared to my four mile walk away the pounds dvd... I was very breathless, like I have never worked out a day in my life. Oy.

we're falling apart Jen, that's what it is :p

I always got winded in early pg. I actually felt better at the end breathing wise than I did at the beginning with Emma. She was so low though, I am sure it had to do more with hormones/oxygen needs than with her taking up my space. I have a pretty good size torso. (heck, I fit a 9 1/2 # in there, and an 8.5 # with a whole swimming pool! Haahaa)

Hopefully you will either get more use to it, or just have it. One more thing to "just deal with and be glad it's from Pg because it's a blessing to be pg" type of thing! Eh?

:-D

Blessings,
Amber

Yep, just dealing with it Amber :)

I remember also feeling some "shortness of breath" at the begginning of my last pregnancy. I remember I was rather concerned - if i had shortness of breath so early, how would i cope with the rest of the pregnacy. but my body must have adapted, cause after a while, i don't remember "suffering" from it anymore. I mean, i don't think it lasted all the time.
Hope that is a little encouraging, and that you will feel better soon tooo.
Just take it as easy as you can.
All the best!

Are you feeling a bit stressed with this pregnancy, girlfriend? If your adrenaline is raised (you won't necessarily feel the adrenaline-more likely your body's response to it), it's normal to feel a little breathless and for your heart to beat harder, which can make you feel a bit uneasy. If you feel like you're having to work harder to get enough oxygen, you may stress a little more, beginning a mini stress cycle. This, on top of the increase in your blood volume, could definitely cause the breathlessness and increased heart rate from time to time, especially if you're noticing it while at rest. When you're resting, it's harder for your body to use up excess adrenaline. Also, when you're still, you may notice little things like your breathing and your heartbeat more than when you're up and focusing on numerous other things.

Anyway, just a possibility to consider (in conjuction to the obvious blood volume/vascular side effects of pregnancy). It would certainly be understandable for you to be experiencing more tension from not being able to teach and take care of the kids in the manner you would if you were feeling better. Either way, you're normal and all is well. :D

Okay everyone, all together now... in through the nose (real slow)... and out through the mouth... ahhhhhhh. [lovesmile]

[lovesign]

Joy [welcomewave]

breathing iiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
and ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut

:)

Thanks Joy hehe

That is a possibility. The stress factor. Not like I'm focusing on those things, but, they're still present and thought about from time to time. Not to mention my irritability in general. Poor kids. Ya know?